CLINTON —
The City of Clinton Conference Board on Monday approved the proposed budget from the City of Clinton Assessor’s office that includes 2.5 percent pay increases for the assessor’s office, but an overall reduction in the total budget.
City Assessor John Moreland presented the budget to the Conference Board, which came in $40,000 less than the budget for fiscal year 2012 at $637,000.
The budget includes a pay increase for the assessor and deputy assessor who will make $76,812 and $53,442 respectively. The three other personnel in the assessor’s office will receive the same percentage increase.
“I tried to keep in step with the county in terms of raises,” Moreland said.
Conference Board member and Ward 4 City Councilman Paul Gassman noted the lack of pay increases for other non-union city employees.
“I wanted to mention, I got some feedback on the amount of increase and the fact that city employees, especially our non-bargaining ones, are getting nothing, or have gotten nothing. It’s been a pretty difficult time,” Gassman said. “I just wanted to bring that forward for everyone here to consider.”
Despite Gassman’s gesture, none of the other Conference Board members, who come from the City Council, County Supervisors or school board, discussed the pay increase differences between the city employees and city assessor’s office.
While the five employees of the office will receive pay increases, the budget will be smaller than last year overall. The reduction in total budget is due to the special appraisal fund going from $300,000 to $250,000.
The budget was boosted by $50,000 last year in order to cover the costs of attorneys needed as the city continued to fight Archer Daniels Midland over property taxes. That dispute will be brought forward in court on June 10 of this year, before the next fiscal year begins.
The ADM property in question, commonly known as the co-generation facility, was labeled a utility plant in 2008 and was exempt from property taxes in 2009. However, Moreland and other city officials protested the tax-exempt designation.
In 2010, legislation was passed saying that a co-generation plant would be locally assessed.
Moreland conducted that assessment, determining the facility’s value at $78 million.
In 2011, ADM lobbied for new legislation that would relieve the company of its property tax obligation. The company was successful, and that ruling applied retroactively to the previous year.
Because the case is in active litigation, Moreland would not discuss any details.
Local News
January 29, 2013
City Assessor’s office granted raises
- Local News
-
-
City forced to cut $1.1M from budget
CLINTON -- The city of Clinton is scrambling to cut more than $1.1 million from next year's budget because of a settlement that was reached between the Clinton Board of Review and Archer Daniels Midland. As part of a settlement that ADM and the Cli
-
Railport: Clinton, CRDC work on future process
CLINTON — With the first rail-served tenants moving in, officials with the city of Clinton, McClure Engineering and the Clinton Regional Development Corp. met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Lincolnway Railport.
- Proposal to write off sewer debt moves forward CLINTON — The city finance director will have the ongoing authority to write off sewer bills from finalled accounts as long as the balance is under $10, members of the Internal Operations Committee decided Tuesday. City Finance Director and interim C
- Board examines congestion at schools FULTON, Ill. -- Potential congestion around the River Bend middle and elementary schools is being discussed by the River Bend Board of Education. The board discussed drop-off policies during Monday's meeting. The district decided in March to eliminat
-
Energized savings
CLINTON -- It didn't happen in one day, with one switch or with one person, but through a concerted effort, the Clinton School District has saved more than $2 million by utilizing energy-efficient practices. The Clinton Community School District was
-
Fitness club is expanding
CLINTON — Less than two years after opening, the Iron Horse Fitness Club is more than tripling their space by moving to the former Rodeo Saloon and Feedhouse. Owners Ashley and Brad Gendreau, 31, of Thomson, Ill., will move by August from the locatio
- Clinton avoids heavy storm CLINTON -- Jim Blaess, official weather observer for the National Weather Service, said Clinton County was lucky during Sunday's storms. "We dodged a bullet," said Blaess, adding that the county did not see any tornados. The county did not receive a
- YWCA pushes forward with shelter CLINTON — The Clinton YWCA will no longer receive government funding for its domestic violence and sexual assault resource center, but Executive Director Lori Freudenberg said her organization was prepared and will continue to offer services for vict
-
Planning for the future
CLINTON -- No Kohl's. No casino. No development in the Lyons Tech Park. Less tax revenue. More blight. That's what Clinton officials say the city would have if they hadn't used tax increment financing to attract development. Tax increment fina
-
Clinton law enforcement honored
CLINTON — Members of the Clinton Police Department and Clinton County Sheriff's Office commemorated National Police Week with an awards ceremony and a memorial ceremony to honor those who protect the community.
- More Local News Headlines
-
